Description:
An Atom Trap Trace Analysis (ATTA) system based on the technique of laser manipulation of neutral atoms is being developed to count individual {sup 41}Ca atoms present in natural samples with an isotopic abundance of 10{sup -15}. Trapping of all stable calcium isotopes has been demonstrated and single-atom counting has been realized. For the most abundant isotope, {sup 40}Ca (97% isotopic abundance), a magneto-optical trap (MOT) loading rate of 2 x 10{sup 10} atoms/s has been reached at the overall capture efficiency of 1 x 10{sup -4}. System improvements could increase the efficiency by at least an order of magnitude.

Description:
We report on the progress towards measuring the charge radius of {sup 6}He and {sup 8}He nuclei by performing laser spectroscopy on these helium atoms in a magneto optical trap (MOT). First tests to produce neutral {sup 6}He atoms via the {sup 12}C({sup 7}Li, {sup 6}He){sup 13}N reaction at the ATLAS accelerator have been successfully conducted. The MOT apparatus including the laser system and the discharge source to populate the metastable level are currently being set up.